FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Week of November 1st

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Big opportunities are coming up for you. Even if you cash in on them, though, they aren't likely to make an immediate practical impact. They are subtle and deep, these prospects. They have the potential of catalyzing monumental shifts in your long-term unfolding, but will take a while to transform your day-to-day rhythm. So what are these openings? Here are my guesses: 1. You could root out a bad seed that got embedded in your subconscious mind before you knew any better. 2. You could reinterpret the meaning of certain turning points in your past, thereby revising the flow of your life story. 3. You could forgive yourself for an old sin you thought you'd never let go of. 4. You could receive a friendly shock that will diminish some sadness you've carried for a long time.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): This would be a good time to get introspective and meditative about your urge to merge . . . to think objectively about the way you approach togetherness . . . to be honest with yourself about what strengths and weaknesses you bring to the art of collaboration. The most important question you can ask yourself during this inventory is this: "How do I personally contribute, either knowingly or unconsciously, to the problems I experience in relationships." Here's another query you might consider: "How hard am I willing to work to create the kinds of intimacy and alliances I say I want?"

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): "Dear Rob: I seem to be marooned in an interesting limbo. The sights and sounds are not exactly pretty, but they keep me perversely entertained. I'm sampling tastes that are more sour than sweet, thinking that sooner or later the sweetness will start to prevail — but it never does. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a trance, unable to do what's best for me. Can you offer any help? Like maybe give me a password that would break me out of the trance? — Meandering Gemini." Dear Meandering: This is one of those rare times when you have cosmic permission to favor what's calming and reassuring rather than what's amusing and stimulating. Your password is sanctuary.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): On September 22, the San Francisco Giants played a baseball game against the San Diego Padres. In the fourth inning, Giants' third baseman Pablo Sandoval sprinted to the edge of the field, then hurled himself over a railing and into the crowd in order to snag a foul pop-up. The fact that he landed upside down but perfectly unhurt wasn't the most impressive aspect of his feat. Nor was his improbable ability to wield such precise concentration while invoking so much raw force. Even more amazing was the pink bubble that Sandoval blew with his chewing gum nanoseconds before he dived. It was a supremely playful and successful Zen moment. That's the spirit I hope you will bring to your efforts in the coming days.